as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
the endless pestering finally drove me to study at the library
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in teasing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in bothering
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
one resident pestered the condo board about every little thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pestering
Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Schroder, who has a reputation for pestering opposing point guards, is the head of that spear.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, the ewe who gave birth to her won't go away or stop pestering these human usurpers.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Schroder, who has a reputation for pestering opposing point guards, is the head of that spear.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pestering
Noun
-
Online attacks against Banda escalated after her recognition for FIFPRO Women's World 11, prompting the NWSL to issue a statement denouncing all forms of harassment and affirming support for Banda and all players.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Fortunately, Marty, posing as a federal agent here to arrest Lee for harassment, bursts through the One Well doors in the nick of time.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
If something’s bothering you, say so.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Saft, not bothering to remove his sneakers, leaped onto a chair to place an ornate gold mirror over the mantelpiece.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Ten-inch-tall elves, called Scout Elves, arrive in children's homes ahead of Christmas with a mission to relay children's behavior back to Santa Claus for his naughty and nice list.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
John Quinones and Sara Haines see who’s naughty, who’s nice — and who’s caught in between.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Twice early in the second half, Minteh provided teasing inswinging crosses to the back post for Gomez, who met the first of those, but with a poor connection.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
After premiering Die My Love at Cannes earlier this year, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson brought their psychological drama to New York on Saturday — along with their signature teasing of each other.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Scottish actor John Hannah was Evelyn’s troublemaking brother Jonathan.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Over the years, Greg has gotten into fights with his best friend Rowley and troublemaking brother Rodrick, he’s gone to summer camp and saved his school, even tried his hand (disastrously) at sports.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Videos taken by scientists in Mexico reveal how the crafty whales manage to snag bites of the apex predators’ fatty organs.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Parents might have to get crafty again this Christmas.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pestering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestering. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share